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The Khanate of Kalat and the Genesis of Baluch Nationalism, 1915-1955

Martin Axmann

Investigates the genesis of Baluch nationalism during the first half of the twentieth century

Analyses the emergence of a Baluch national movement

Sets it into relation to the rise of an Indian and Muslim Indian (Pakistan) national movement in British India

Back to the Future

The Khanate of Kalat and the Genesis of Baluch Nationalism, 1915-1955

Martin Axmann

Description

The study investigates the genesis of Baluch nationalism during the first half of the twentieth century, analyses the emergence of a Baluch national movement, and sets it into relation to the rise of an Indian and Muslim Indian (Pakistan) national movement in British India during that time. The study portrays the decline and disintegration of the Baluch khanate of Kalat during the last decades of British rule, analyses Kalat's lack of integration but increasing attachment to British Indian affairs, and summarises the colonial legacy of Baluchistan in respect of political, administrative and constitutional development. It investigates the emergence of a royalist movement around the figure of the khan of Kalat, and discusses his attempt to turn back time and revert to
Baluchistan's pre-colonial status. It probes into the coincident rise of a Baluch nationalist movement, and analyses the political and cultural framework of an emerging Baluch national identity. It traces the political demands of Baluch nationalist pioneers, and looks for interrelations with the Baluch royalist and Indian Muslim nationalist movements. It ascertains the emergence of a Baluch national movement as the outcome of the historical and political circumstances during the British withdrawal from India, and portrays the evolution of Baluch national identity as a reaction to the territorial, political and cultural inclusion on side of the All India Muslim League and the Pakistan movement.

Back to the Future

The Khanate of Kalat and the Genesis of Baluch Nationalism, 1915-1955

Martin Axmann

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v TABLE OF CONTENTS vi LIST OF FIGURES ix INTRODUCTION x 1. The Conceptual Framework: Nations and Nationalism 12. The Historical Framework: Baluchistan and the Khanate of Kalat 92.1. The emergence of the khanate of Kalat 10 2.2. The development of British rule in Baluchistan 17 3. Wind of Change: Baluchistan and Kalat Between the World Wars3.1. The dangerous disease: Baluchistan and the turmoil of World War I 28 3.1.1. Jihad - 'made in Germany' 29 3.1.2. The German mission to Afghanistan and Baluchistan (1914-16) 33 3.1.3. The uprising of the Marri-Kethran tribes (1917-18) 47 3.1.4. The khilafat and hijrat movements(1919-22) 49 3.1.5. Baluchistan's immunity: reasons and explanations 56 3.2. Mir Ahmad Yar Khan and the royalist revival 64 3.2.1. From Khudadad Khan to Mir Ahmad Yar Khan (1893-1933) 65 3.2.2. The proposed re-transfer of powers (1934-39) 70 3. - cont.3.3. The Government of India Act of 1935 and its repercussions 76 3.3.1. Princely India 83 3.3.2. The khanate of Kalat 90 3.3.3. British Baluchistan 96 3.3.3.1. Baluchistan's representation in the central legislature 98 3.3.3.2. The Indian constituent assembly and advisory council 104 4. World War II and Post-War Dreams: Princely India and Kalat 1095. Birth of a Nation: Baluchistan and Kalat at the Dawn of Independence5.1. The political awakening 1195.1.1. The Anjuman-e Ittehad-e Balochan wa Balochistan 123 5.1.2. The Kalat State National Party (KSNP) 136 5.1.3. The Anjuman-e Watan 141 5.1.4. The All India Muslim League 148 5.2. The constitutional battle 157 5.2.1. Review of treaty obligations and British opinion 157 5.2.2. Kalat's memoranda of 1946 164 6. Death of a State: Accession to Pakistan and its Aftermath (1947-55) 1706.1. British Baluchistan (1947-50) 175 6.1.1. The shahi Jirga referendum of 1947 175 6.1.2. The Baluchistan Advisory Council 184 6.1.3. The Reform Committee and its report 189 6.1.4. Qazi Muhammad Isa and the Baluchistan Muslim League 200 6. cont.6.2. The khanate ofKalat (1948-55) 204 6.2.1. The Standstill Agreement of 5 August 1947 209 6.2.2. Last minute reforms 213 6.2.3. Accession to Pakistan 219 6.2.4. Aftermath of accession 223 6.2.5. A case-study of Makran 230 6.2.6. The Baluchistan States Union (BSU) 251 EPILOGUE - The Shattered Dream of a Tribal Monarchy 263 CONCLUSION 273 BIBLIOGRAPHY 280 INDEX

Back to the Future

The Khanate of Kalat and the Genesis of Baluch Nationalism, 1915-1955

Martin Axmann

Author Information

Dr Martin Axmann is a political scientist focussed on ethno- nationalist movements of the Indian sub-continent. Martin Axmann has studied political science, international law, and economy at the Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg (MA 1997). His field work has concentrated on Pakistan, particularly on Sindh, the North-West Frontier Province, and the Iran-Pakistan transborder region of Baluchistan. His research interests include state and nation building in the post-colonial world, and the emergence and development of sub- nationalist movements within larger nation states. He works as a private lecturer and is associated to the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute of Socio-Political Research in Freiburg since 1996. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University
of Freiburg (2007), and is presently carrying out postdoctoral research on the evolution of the Baluch national movement and its players.